KUALA LUMPUR: MCA is prepared to cooperate with any parties, including the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) to ensure traders do not raise prices of goods indiscriminately.
Its president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said it was also important to work closely with the traders so that price monitoring of goods could be done to protect the interests of consumers.
“KPDNKK also has a watchdog committee to monitor traders in determining the prices of goods to be sold in the market,” he told reporters after officiating the Pasarnita@Art Market in conjunction with Chinese New Year at Central Market here yesterday.
Liow, who is also Transport Minister, was commenting on the price hike by traders during the coming festive season and their refusal to reduce prices despite a drop in oil prices. Also present were Barisan Nasional Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who is also the committee’s advisor, and MCA Wanita chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie. He said racial issues should not be raised in resolving the problem of price hike of goods significantly.
“We respect the decision of the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) to stop associating racial issues with price hike of goods amd if there are still some people still wanting to voice their views, then we need to solve it in the best way,” he said.
Meanwhile Shahrizat in her speech requested the government to provide a permanent site for women traders in the Klang Valley and other states nationwide besides getting the cooperation of relevant quarters, including Kuala Lumpur City Hall and local authorities. Over 100 women entrepreneurs are taking part in the three-day Pasarnita@Arts Market from yesterday. — Bernama